Succulents are natural inhabitants of dry arid regions.
Therefore, succulents have adapted to dry conditions by storing their water in their leaves, stems, and roots.
These plants have a limit to their water-storing capacity which is usually at about ¼ a cup every week. If that limit is breached the plant will start the process of dying slowly.
But this limit isn’t a binding number, it can be affected by seasons, types of succulents’ sunlight, and the draining mechanism of the soil or pot it is growing in.
Attempting to save an overwatered succulent is often possible depending on how far advanced the damage is. A small amount of overwatering, very early stage, can be reversed easily, with larger amounts of watering it is impossible to save if the root rot has made it’s way to the leaves.
How to Save an Overwatered Succulent?
It is important to be certain if a succulent is overwatered before saving it.
How to identify an overwatered succulent:
- The color of the leaves is more pale than that of a regular plant, and they appear translucent.
- The plant appears sick overall
- The leaves of the plant are soft, shriveled, and moist.
- The stems can rot out and turn black and or brown.
Examination of the Succulent Rot Damage
Identifying the type of rotting on the succulent is essential.
The diagnosis can be made while digging up the succulent. The succulents could survive after digging up.
If the root looks healthy and seems to have no damage, then the root has not rotted away.
There are three types of rotting:
- Leaf rot: When the leaves drink up too much water, they become brown and start to feel soft and limp.
- Stem rot: The coloration starts from the inside of the stem, not the outside.
- Root rot: The plant’s roots are compromised. This causes the plant to wilt and stop taking up water and nutrients. The succulent might even look underwatered, when in reality, it is overwatered.
How to Save an Overwatered Succulent Leaf?
Keep an eye on how bad the rot is. If it’s not too bad, you might be able to salvage parts of the plant.
Remove any leaves that are rotten and rotting, and try to retain as many good leaves as possible; be sure to remove everything all the way down to the leaf. You cannot save a broken leaf.
Let the leaves dry for a few days out of direct sunlight. Find a bright and dry location to let dry.
Create a well-draining potting mix, lay the leaves flat on the soil, or plants the ends in the soil after they have dried.
From Experience: Stay away from direct sunlight and moisten the soil every few days, or when it feels dry. Wait for roots to form and new plants to sprout.
How to Save a Succulent Stem from Rotting?
Examine the stem including roots for areas that are rotten.
Make sure to save any usable stem or green parts of the stem. When you make the stem cut, you will easily tell if it can be saved.
If the inside or pieces of the stem have light green coloring instead of a brown or black, these have a good chance for saving and can be propagated to grow a new plant.
Once you have saved the stems, store them in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. You will want to allow the stem to dry for a couple days for all cuts to harden and seal.
If you choose, you can dip the stems in rooting hormone. A rooting hormone can help speed up the growth and propagation process.
Once the stems are dry and ready to propagate, you can place them in well-drained potting soil.
A few times a week, lightly moisten the soil or whenever it’s dry to the touch. Avoid direct sun with your plants until new roots take hold and they start to root.
How to Save a Succulent Root from Rotting?
The roots serve as a vital component of the manufactory for all plants because they are responsible for attracting water and nutrients.
Once you remove the plant out of the soil and minimize the damage to the root, then you can remove the plant from the pot or container, wring out and leftover water and leave the plant out of the pot or container for two days to allow the soil to dry.
Drying out the soils prevents any further spread of the root rot. If the root rot is extensive, you will need to take the plant out of the pot.
Once you get the plant out of the pot, cut the rotted roots and rinse the root to remove excess soil as the soil may have fungi in it which is a contributing factor to root rot.
Excess Water Drying Methods, for succulent plants:
- Increase the light exposure of the plant.
- Remove any excess water sitting on the plant. You can do this by drilling holes in the container or pot.
- Use newspaper to soak up extra water. Remove the plant out of the pot and into newspaper. Place the newspaper on top of a larger piece of cardboard or something similar. This works by allowing the newspaper to soak up the excess water.
Overwatering Control Routine
Keep Control of How Much Water You’re Giving Your Plants
There are several ways to measure the amount of water that you give your plants.
One approach: you could use measuring cups or moisture meters.
Or, you can stick your fingers in the soil to check the moisture.
If it feels wet, don’t water. Plants actively growing use more water than they do when they are dormant.
Also, develop a watering schedule for your succulents. Most container on-plants should be watered generally about once a week allowing for temperature conditions in the location.
To prevent excessive watering, you can use a spray bottle to apply water. Spraying turns out to be a viable and positive way to water plants, especially…
Just caution: if spray watering the succulents, the water should not pool in the leaves or stems due to rot. Suggested to be done in a way to spray water onto the soil away from the leaves and stems of the plant.
Use of Good Drainage Soils
Succulent plants prefer fast draining soils in order to prevent the roots being left on wet soils for too long.
Using succulent soils in combination with some perlite provides good drainage.
Keep the Airflow in Check
Provide better airflow in your arrangement, so you reduce the chances of overwatering. Improved airflow reduces the humidity in wet conditions.
You can help air circulation outdoors with at least 3 to 5 inches between the succulent plants.
Take Note of Dormancy
It’s important to recognize that most succulents experience a dormancy period.
Succulent plants become dormant during the cold months.
In this dormancy period, the plant will send out a very slow growth and less water is needed compared to its growing cycle.
Final Thoughts
You must take care to look after succulent plants so that they can grow without any hindrance.
Succulents in pots are harder to maintain than those planted in the garden.
As a result, it is important to keep track of watering schedules, either too little or too much can harm your succulents.
If your succulent will not recover, your last hope may be to propagate. Cut a few healthy surviving leaves from the base or stem or take full plump leaves and allow them to dry for approximately a week.
Plant in a well-drained potting mix and water them regularly to initiate root growth.